Dublin People - Dublin Vikings prefer plunge to plunder

Home

News

Motoring

Dublin Vikings prefer plunge to plunder

Wednesday, 20 February 2008

WITHIN the landlocked environs of Dublin 15 there exists a club that is concerned with the wonders that can be found at the depths of the ocean.
The Viking Sub Aqua Club is in existence for over 30 years and it continues to go from strength to strength.
Meeting weekly in the Coolmine Sport and Leisure Complex, the club boasts a membership of approximately 65, but is always interested in attracting new members.

Originally started with a newspaper advertisement in 1976, the club name Viking was chosen at a time when the Wood Quay controversy was raging in Dublin.

“We love the sea like our namesakes of yore but get our enjoyment in a more peaceful manner, less plundering and pillage and more peaceful enjoyment,” said club member Mary Taylor.

“We love what we do and get on well as a group of friends as well as dive buddies.”

The early members were actually a group of ‘An Óige’ hill walkers who decided to extend their sporting activities. Club member Paddy Hennessy, who was an engraver in Weirs Jewellers of Grafton Street, designed the club emblem.

Over the years Viking has built up its equipment and the club currently has two Rigid Inflatable Boats (RIBS) and two air compressors - a fixed compressor in Coolmine and a mobile one that can be transported around the various dive sites that club members regularly dive from.

“One of our RIBS is moored in Howth Harbour and the other one we tend to bring with us to the various dive sites,” said Tom Brett, Viking public relations officer.
“Around Dublin our favourite sites to dive on would be Ireland’s Eye, off Howth, and Lambay Island.
“But we also venture out on trips around the country and we have dived at sites on the west coast Of Ireland, Cork and along the northern coastline.”
The club occasionally dives with other Dublin based dive clubs and their members have been known to join Viking on foreign trips.
Viking has a yearly membership fee of e550 which includes all air fills and boat dives and all fees go back into the running of the club and its weekend and mid-week dives.
The club’s membership base is generally from the greater west Dublin region, but new members from anywhere in the city are always welcome to join.
“We need new members to keep the club ticking over and we believe that the costs involved are relatively low when you consider what is involved in organising a diving club,” said Tom.
In order to raise much needed funds the club run fundraising events internally in the form of race nights, barbeques, casinos and spot the ball competitions.
According to Tom Brett 2007 was a good year for Viking with a new bunch of trainees joining the club and foreign trips also playing a part in the club’s activities. Club members travelled to Estartit, Croatia and the Red Sea during the year.
“The club is presently quiet active with a good cross of experience from some of our long term members and enthusiasm from the new members,” said Tom.
To gain further information on Viking and enquires regarding membership email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Comfort and space with Hyundai’s cross wagon

Thursday, 27 November 2008

Obviously something small like a foot rest is unlikely to help you make up your mind when buying a new motor, but it may be important long term. I've been testing the Hyundai i30CW recently...
+ Full Story

SEAT Ibiza wins German Golden Steering Wheel

Thursday, 27 November 2008

The Ibiza was judged overall winner in the category by a panel made up of technicians and drivers, as well as staff members and the readership of the ‘Bild am Sonntag’ magazine. During...
+ Full Story

Industry issues warning as car sales continue to plummet

Thursday, 27 November 2008

THE Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) has released figures for new car sales for October that show a continuing downward trend. New cars sold in October 2008 (1,748) were down 54.59 per...
+ Full Story

Jaguar XF picks up Scottish award

Tuesday, 18 November 2008

Bill Caven, President of the ASMW, described the new XF as “an extremely impressive beast in more ways than one”. “It not only looks strikingly different from anything currently...
+ Full Story